Earlier text: Eternal LifeDevotional Services Without a Preacher
By William Covert
WHEN Peter and Paul were working for the Lord, preachers were few, and the field was large; so they planned for churches to conduct devotional services even when deprived of ministerial help. The instruction then given on this point was recorded so as to meet the need of God's people down to the end of time. Christ is high priest for the entire church and people, and the new and living way into the holiest has been consecrated by him; therefore any one can go at any time and intercede with God for himself through the merits of Christ. No human priest is needed. The consecrated way, which is open to all through the sprinkled blood, is for all people all the time. Since this ample provision is made for all, the apostle says: “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience [the mental preparation], and our bodies washed with pure water [the physical preparation].” Heb. 10:22. When these personal preparations of heart and body have been made, we can render acceptable worship. Yet we owe a duty to our brethren and sisters in the truth which can be fulfilled at proper times by meeting together for prayer and exhortation. The instruction says we should not forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as we see the day approaching.” Heb. 10:25. The exhortations in these assemblies should encourage love and good works, and these exhortations are to be more earnest as we near the day of the Lord's coming. The need of this earnestness is seen when we study the statistics which tell of the progress of our work. When the writer began to observe the Sabbath of the Lord forty-eight years ago, there were 4,475 Seventh-day Adventists in all the world. Then there were 32 ordained ministers and 159 organized churches, or an average of one preacher for about five churches. The statistics for the present year indicate that we have one thousand ordained preachers and four thousand church organizations. These figures show that the denomination could not furnish an ordained minister for more than one fourth of our churches. Besides our individual churches, we have now many hundreds of places in the wide field which must be ministered to by our workers. Of course, in this count the licentiates, the Bible workers, and other helpers are not included. It is evident that Seventh-day Adventists must have strong local help in their organized churches to maintain their standing, and to do the work which God has assigned to them. The work to be done by this people calls for earnest efforts from the lay members. Every one must faithfully do his part in proclaiming the third angel's message. Organization and training are indispensable to success in our work. The Spiritual Influence of Mrs. White's Labors
By George Ide Butler
We have mentioned various features of this movement in which Mrs. White's influence was very marked, and will now notice what we consider the most important feature of all. The intelligent reader, in reviewing the history of important religious movements, cannot fail to notice the declension in spirituality and religious zeal which has always characterized such movements. The history of the Jewish people furnishes abundant instances of this universal tendency. The tendency of man, after his fall, was downward, till “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Gen. 6:5. The only hope of bettering conditions was to destroy the wicked race and begin again to populate the earth. Noah spent a hundred and twenty years in warning the people of the coming flood, but could save only his family of eight persons. Even after this terrible example of God's dealing with sin, how soon rebellion developed again! What a wonderful spiritual movement, with all its miraculous evidences of God's power to deliver his people, was conducted under Moses! But what a rebellious people the Israelites proved to be! Only two of the original host went through to the Promised Land. Many religious awakenings were of God, but all were followed by backslidings and apostasy. Christ himself came at last and opened up a new era in the plan of salvation. His apostles were filled with divine power. But in a generation or two the seeds of a great apostasy were springing up, and the Dark Ages followed. Then came the great Reformation. But even the religious bodies growing out of it became persecutors, and religious apathy resulted. The Methodist revivals were remarkable evidences of divine illumination, and were a blessing to the world. But how about the religious standing of the great churches today? The large Protestant churches are nearly swamped in the guesswork connected with the theory of evolution, the tendency of which is toward infidelity. The Bible seems to be smothered in the house of its professed friends. The Mosaic history of creation is relegated to the background, and the accuracy of much of the Bible history is denied. What kind of religious bodies shall we have when the Bible itself is not believed to be the Word of God? Where then shall we go for religious authority in anything? These are mere glimpses at the religious declension that has figured largely in the history of our world. We come now to a question which should be most carefully considered by every genuine Seventh-day Adventist. We know that God has been leading this people; that his Spirit mightily helped in laying the foundation of this work; and that the Spirit was with the early workers. Shall we as a people be able to resist this mighty current toward worldliness and worldly wisdom? If we are able to stem this current in these days of peril and apostasy, we shall be a wonderful exception. These last days, according to the Bible statements, are the most perilous of all. How is it with us as a people? Have we proved ourselves free from all the tendencies to worldliness, pride, selfishness, and unbelief that characterize other professed Christian churches? Our membership is increasing, but are these members all thoroughly converted to God? A vast increase of numbers was seen in the age succeeding the apostles' labors, but the more they increased the farther they departed from God. The new converts brought in heathenish views and practices, till a great change was seen in the spiritual condition of the body. Will it be so with us? We are certainly in danger of a similar result. In our great zeal we are in danger of lowering the standard. From the first, the influence of Mrs. White's labors among us has been a wonderful source of spiritual uplift to this movement, for she always acted a leading part in the practical religion of this people. She attended many of the important meetings held by this denomination. She was looked up to as one who had important light from God. When attending our camp meetings, hundreds of which had the aid of her presence, she often led in the spiritual work of the meetings. She called the people forward for prayers. She gave much instruction in practical religion. She always took an active part in the prayer and social meetings, and when her health would permit, attended the early morning meetings. She was considered a most acceptable speaker during the active period of her life. On Sunday afternoons, when the largest crowds were present, she nearly always spoke with great freedom and power. Many times when she was speaking have we seen many persons in tears. It was not mere human eloquence that moved the people, but the tender, blessed Spirit of8God touching their hearts. She spoke always as one living very near to God. She often talked of things the Lord had shown her, and of the wonderful light she had received from heaven. She often warned the people of the dangers of these last days. If worldliness and departure from the truth were in the camp, her earnest, soul-searching words were given in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. Her frequent articles in our papers were also a great factor in keeping our people true to the principles for which the denomination stands. The books she has written are a great help. Her small book, “Steps to Christ,” is a very precious help to genuine religion. By reading that little volume, any person who is not a Christian can learn how to become one. The book has had a large circulation. It presents Christ as our glorious Saviour. God saw that the difficulties were so many, the condition of the world so unbelieving, its temptations so strong, and the power of Satan so great and deceptive in this degenerate age, that the people raised up to sound the last message needed the gift of prophecy as a special help to mold and prepare a church for the coming of Christ. It remains now for us to follow carefully the instructions she has left. Every true Seventh-day Adventist will do as Joshua did — continually keep in mind the instruction received. We have a great work to do among the new converts. They should be thoroughly instructed in reference to the work of this servant of the Lord. They should be made acquainted with her writings. We greatly fear that this work needs to be more thoroughly done. The work of the Spirit of prophecy in the remnant church is so completely interwoven with the experience of the message that it is impossible to separate them. In the progress of the message, the Spirit of prophecy has had a prominent part. Misjudging the Work of the Holy Spirit
By E. HILLIARD
SOME of the Jewish priests and many of the common people had cherished the teachings of Christ, and upon the day of Pentecost were among the thousands who were converted in a day. They were all united, and the Spirit descended in great power, “and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” (See Acts 2:4.) The message relative to Christ’s resurrection and ascension was given in no uncertain manner. Every nationality heard in its own tongue the wonderful news of the risen Saviour. “Cloven tongues like as of fire” descended upon the heads of the believers, attesting that Jesus had broken the bands of death and had ascended to his Father. This visible manifestation of the Holy Spirit was a great perplexity to many of the Sadducees, who believed in neither the Spirit nor the resurrection. “They were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?” Verse 12. A spirit of inquiry was awakened in the minds of some, but “others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.” Verse 13. What a terrible misjudging of the work of the Holy Spirit, shed forth in such great power to enlighten and save sinful men! Is it not much the same today? Are not the plain teachings of our Saviour, which, if received into the heart, will eradicate prejudice, cast out malice, and bring peace and joy to the soul,—are they not rejected because preconceived ideas and the traditions of men are enthroned within? All who yield to bigotry are under the influence of Satan. Such will misapprehend the truth of God and persecute its advocates. But the same Jesus who defended his people in the days of the apostles will care for his faithful followers to the close of time. All the demons of darkness, reënforced by sinful humanity, cannot overthrow the work of God, nor destroy one of his little ones; for the promise to his people is, “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” Ps. 76: 10. Personal Ornamentation
By O. A. Johnson
Ever since the fall of man there have been two classes in the world. One class have always tried to be loyal to God, and have sought to live in harmony with his revealed will. True humility has ever characterized these people, both in deportment and in dress. The other class have stood under the leadership of the “prince of this world.” They have been influenced by his spirit in the development of character; selfishness and self-gratification have been principal traits in their character. In this respect they resemble their master, who was banished from heaven on account of selfishness. Eze. 28:17; Isa. 14:12-14. It is evident that every habit or custom must have had a beginning. Every custom originating under the direction of God must of necessity be good and right, while every habit or custom coming to us from the people who have stood under the leadership of the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4), may justly be questioned; and should such practices be reproved by the Lord, then, of course, it would be wrong to continue them. The fact that even some of God’s professed people may have adopted habits or customs coming to us from the heathen, will justify no one in following their example. God’s Word must be obeyed, and everything removed that is not in harmony with it. The adornment of the person with various kinds of jewelry, and the head covering with flowers, plumes, etc., now almost universal, had a beginning; but that beginning was not with the people of God. It had its origin in heathenism, among the children of this world. The following brief extracts from reliable sources will establish that fact:— “Fashions, however, varied. . . . Both sexes blackened the brows and lids of the eyes with kohl or stibium; cosmetics for the skin, and pastils for the breath, were used; the nails were dyed with henna; and crowns of flowers wound around the hair to augment female beauty. The ornaments worn by both sexes were nearly the same,—collars of rows of beads and chains of gold around the neck, armlets and bracelets of gold, inlaid with lapis lazuli, and turquoise round the arms, and anklets of the same around the ankles. Females only wore earrings, but both sexes loaded their fingers with rings.”—Ancient History from the Monuments; Egypt from the Earliest Times, by S. Birch, Introduction, p. 15, London, 1890. The following from the same book, page 12, proves that the wearing of plumes arose from the custom of adorning the heads of idols with plumes, a purely heathen custom: “Of the human-headed deities, Amen-Ra wore two plumes of hawks’ feathers, a disk, and a red cap; Osiris, a conical cap placed on horns and banked by ostrich feathers; Anhor, Onouris or Mors, four feathers.” Heads of gods were also ornamented with snakes. The following throws further light on this: “The whole tribe, therefore, was required to give up everything heathen; Rachel, her father’s gods or teraphim; others the idols, which, it seems, they cherished; and those who had them, the earrings and the armlets used as idolatrous charms; and the whole, when gathered, were buried under the oak at Shechem.” In a footnote we are told that the armlet was “worn to guard the person from magical charm; . . . earrings were worn for the same purpose. They were apparently engraved with magical characters or idolatrous signs.”—Hours with the Bible, Geikie, Vol. I, p. 337. The preceding proves conclusively that personal adornment comes to us from heathenism. Every person with the least knowledge of the pagan nations of today, knows that the heathen adorn their persons very profusely with ornaments of every description. The object of these adornments was anciently to augment female beauty. As the custom of personal ornamentation or adornment, solely for the augmentation of personal beauty, comes to us from heathenism, it certainly is not to be followed by Christians. Such Adornment Not Pleasing to God
The Bible classes outward personal ornamentation with heathen customs, and hence condemns it. When Jacob returned from serving his uncle Laban, to the land of Canaan, the Lord said to him, “Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, . . . and now they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was9by Shechem.” Gen. 35:2-4. Here we find that the jewelry worn by Jacob’s family was classed with their idols, and that was therefore to be put away. From Eze. 20:5-9 we learn that Israel had gone into idolatry before their exodus, and consequently had adorned themselves with jewelry. After their arrival at Mt. Sinai they used some of their jewelry in making a golden calf. Ex. 32:2-4. Afterward the remaining “bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold,” were given to the building of the tabernacle. When the Lord called upon Jacob to dedicate himself and his household to serve God, they laid aside all jewelry and all other personal adornments; and the truly converted in our day generally lay aside all kinds of jewelry, and dedicate it to some benevolent purpose. In the days of Isaiah and Hosea, contemporary prophets (Isa. 1:1; Hosea 1:1), the Lord again rebuked Israel for their idolatry and for the wearing of jewelry, which was also a sign of their apostasy. Hosea says, “I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, . . . and forgat me, saith the Lord.” Chap. 2:13. Here we learn that Israel put on jewels on the days she worshiped Baal. Such personal adornment is generally to draw attention to self, and is no more pleasing to God now than it was then. In Isa. 3:16-24 the various kinds of ornaments are named, and these the Lord says he “will take away” (verse 18), and punish his professed people for their pride. In the New Testament we find Paul advising women not to adorn themselves with “gold, or pearls, or costly array,” or with “braided hair” (1 Tim. 2:9), the extravagant braids anciently worn by women. Peter also speaks against such outward adorning. 1 Peter 3:3. These apostles found it necessary to warn their converts not to follow the custom of the world in personal ornamentation. Now since the wearing of jewelry, plumes, artificial flowers, etc., for personal adornment comes to us from heathenism, and since it is not pleasing to God, every true Christian will, for the love of God and his Word, abstain from it, as well as from other practices originating with paganism. “Whose adorning . . . let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:4. C. B. STEPHENSON
By C. B. Stephenson
It was indeed a sad experience which caused Eli’s daughter-in-law to name her son Ichabod—the glory is departed from Israel. The Israelites were at war with the Philistines, and Eli, the priest, anxiously awaited the outcome. He sat by the roadside so he would be easily found by the expected messenger. Soon the messenger arrived with the sad word that the battle was lost, thirty thousand men were slain, the army of Israel was in utter confusion, and among the slain were Eli’s two sons. The priest seemed to survive the shock of this information, but when the messenger added, “The ark of God is taken,” it was too much for him. “He fell from off the seat backward, . . . and his neck brake.” Eli realized what the taking of the ark meant. He understood that God had thus signified that he would no longer fight for Israel. Because of their sins, he had given them over to their enemies until they should learn that he would not claim them as his special chosen people unless they lived in accordance with his will. When the news of the death of her husband, and also of her father-in-law, reached the wife of Phinehas, she gave birth to a son, and when she was dying, she named the child Ichabod—“the glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.” 1 Sam. 4:19-22. The name of this boy would be a continual reminder of that sad day when Israel was beaten by the enemy and the ark of God was taken. To Eli, the defeated army was evidence that God had forsaken his people because of their sins. God cannot protect even those who profess his name if they do not manifest his character. If he did, the people would be encouraged to continue in sin. With all of God’s people, his law will be their delight. David said, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Again, “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” In the ancient sanctuary service, the ark, which contained the holy law, was kept in the most holy place. That which made the ark holy was the law which it contained. Paul said, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” Rom. 7:12. When this holy law is written in the heart of man, he, too, becomes holy. Heb. 8:10. To reject the law, then, is to refuse the holiness of God. When a church repudiates the law, it is evident that that church cannot expect the blessing of God to rest upon it. A lawless church is an inglorious church. The place on earth most like heaven is where the principles of the law of heaven are the most nearly conformed to, and the place most unlike heaven is where the opposite conditions prevail; therefore God’s church must have God’s holy law as its rule of faith and practice. The modern belief that the ten commandments were abolished, nailed to the cross, and therefore are not binding in this dispensation, is dangerous. It sends the ark away by choice, which is quite as bad as to have it taken by the Philistines. The result is the same,—Ichabod, the glory is departed. This Philistine error has taken the ark away, with the result that the church is becoming more and more like the world. The standard of heaven has been dismissed, and there is nothing to distinguish between the holy and the profane. Babylon is fallen. Rev. 14:8. The world will soon find that it cannot ignore this holy command. It is far better to accept it than to send it away—away from the heart. It will come back again sometime. We shall meet it again in the judgment day. We should love this blessed expression of God’s will, and, like Eli, grieve when we see men so conducting themselves that God must depart from them. Salvation is an individual experience. No one can be saved by the experience of another. As the Lord must leave an apostate body, so will he leave the individual who rejects his law, and then the sad name must apply to him,—Ichabod, the glorious opportunity to be saved has passed. The death of Eli and of his daughter-in-law was associated with the departure of the law; so death will come to all who do not have the law abiding in the heart. We may have it written there by the Holy Spirit. The ark containing the letter may be taken away, but the law cannot be taken from the heart. It is our meditation all the day. Service for God
By James B. Anderson
We are invited to affiliate with the greatest work the world has ever known,—the work of giving the warning message to a dying world. “The harvest indeed is plenteous, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest; that he send forth laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2. The Lord wants workers that will be meek and lowly, that are willing to forsake the world and its pleasures; such workers he can use. You may say, I am willing to go wherever the Lord wants me to go, but I await the pleasure of the conference, as I shall have to be assured of a salary before I can undertake the work. Says the Master: “Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment? Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they?” When the Lord sent out the disciples, he said: “Go your ways; behold, I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no wallet, no shoes.” Luke 10:3, 4. They went out according to the Lord’s instruction, believing that they would not want for anything, and they were wonderfully blessed. So will God’s children receive these blessings today, if they go out by faith, not doubting. The Lord has a place for you. You may say, I have often prayed that the Lord would use me, but have never had a call to service. I would ask, Have you prayed in faith, and have you confessed all known sins? The Lord will10not answer our prayers if we cling to any known sin. If we put away all sin and believe with all our heart that our prayers will be heard, the Lord will never fail to answer if our petition is in accordance with his will. When the prayer is answered and the call comes, the answer may not be just as we should like to have had it; but if we accept the answer and trust fully in Jesus, it will be just as we would have chosen if we had known all. But you may say, I fear my faith is too weak to permit me to step out. Follow the instruction given in “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, page 302: “Those who talk faith and cultivate faith will have faith.” Let us cultivate more faith, so that when the call comes we may step out by faith and labor for the Master. He has promised us plenty of power to do the work if we will humble ourselves as little children and be led by our Saviour wheresoever he desires us to go. Why look for positions from the world when we have such opportunities offered us in the Word of God? Look at the reward that is promised us,—a home, all our own for eternity, with no more sorrow or crying, where every one will be happy! Can you afford to miss this chance to work for Jesus? Let us pray that we may have this faith that will secure us a place in God’s service, so that we may be numbered among those who are working under a Master who has never failed, and whose love and care over his workers is so great that he takes them home with him after their work is over, to live with him through all eternity. Personal Work
By Stemple White
In order to help people, one must get in personal touch with them. In his ardent, self-sacrificing labor for civil reforms, Jefferson’s sympathetic love led him to mingle with the people. In his advice to Lafayette he wrote, “You must ferret the people out of their hovels as I have done, look into their kettles, eat their bread, loll on their beds on pretense of resting yourself, but in fact to find if they are soft.” Those men succeeded in their work. Even so the “hunters” and “fishers” sent out today to finish the Lord’s work, must ever keep close to the people, yet closer to God. An advertising man recently wrote, as quoted in Current Opinion for July: “The preacher who never rings doorbells during the week rarely ever rings the bell when he shoots in the pulpit on Sunday. That is why I rate that country preacher up in Vermont as a pastmaster. He not only knows every one, but he knows among just what mental neighbors in men’s minds every sentence he says will have to lodge, and what obstacles it will have to pass to get in at all. So he always talked to us as one who had a feeling for our infirmities, mental as well as other kinds.” “When a minister has presented the gospel message from the pulpit, his work is only begun. There is personal work for him to do. He should visit the people in their homes, talking and praying with them in earnestness and humility. There are families who will never be reached by the truths of God’s word unless the stewards of his grace enter their homes and point them to the higher way. But the hearts of those who do this work must throb in unison with the heart of Christ.” “Much depends upon the manner in which you meet those whom you visit. You can take hold of a person’s hand in greeting in such a way as to gain his confidence at once, or in so cold a manner that he will think you have no interest in him.”—Gospel Workers, pp. 187, 189. Every member may and should be a worker for Christ. Each one can act a part. Before the material finds its place in the finished temple, it has received a personal touch. Let us do our part well. The Soul's Struggles and Victory
By Mrs. J. E. Green
“Not this, not this, my Lord! Some other cross give me to bear. This one so heavy is, I cannot take it up. How can I see my idols shattered, and my fondest hopes destroyed? How can I lay upon the altar this one thing which I have loved and cherished above all those other earthly treasure? Not this, not that is so this, O Lord! Some other, any other cross, I would be strong to bear.” My soul thus cried in deep agony as I knelt at my Father's feet and prayed, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” Then I heard a voice so sad and low saying, “What meaneth this? Didst thou not give thyself to me to be molded and fashioned as I will? Hast thou not prayed, ‘O make me, Lord, a vessel fit to be used by thee’? Hast thou not often said, ‘O Father, let the fires burn up my dross, only let them consume me not.’ Hast thou not laid on the altar thy life, thy friends, thy fairest name, thy dearest hopes, and all thy earthly store? Then why repine when I but take thee at thy word, when I but touch that which thou hast given to me? Thy heart is deceitful, and I only show thee how hollow are all thy protestations of loyalty to me. Thy words say, ‘All—take all, dear Lord, as pleaseth thee.’ But when I take thee at thy word, thou criest out, ‘Not this, not that! some other thing, O Lord; but this I cannot bear.’ I cannot purge thee from thy dross except I kindle the furnace fires. I cannot mold thee into form divine unless thou dost yield to the crushing, refining process that will remove nature's crude materials, that will not mix with heavenly things.” Then there passed before my sight a vision of the tears and bloody sweat my Saviour shed for me, and my soul cried out, “O Lord, forgive. I know I am vile; I know I am earth-bound; I know I have my idols; but take them, Lord. Take all, even to my good name. Take me, O take me, and make me like my Saviour! Help me to follow in his footsteps until at last I shall reach his safe abode and see him as he is and be like him. O to be like him! O to see him as he is, not bowing ’neath the weight of sin and pain in Gethsemane, not dying on Calvary, but beautiful in glory now! And may I be like him!” Lord, lead thou me on. Help me to bear each cross, endure each trial, part with all I have for thee. Only lead thou me on. R. D. QUINN
By R. D. Quinn
The Spirit and Power of Elijah — No. 3
The nineteenth chapter of First Kings tells the sad story of Elijah’s failure, and proves beyond question that he was a man subject to like passions as we are. On the night following his mighty triumphs of faith on Mt. Carmel, where he had stood alone against the wicked king and all the prophets of Baal and a whole nation that had apostatized from God, he arose and fled for his life before the threats of one wicked woman. “When he saw that, he arose, and went for his life.” Verse 3. The story of his defeat is told in that brief clause, “When he saw that.” As long as he kept his eyes upon God, he was invincible; but when he looked away from God and saw that woman Jezebel threatening him, “he arose, and went for his life.” Terrified, he ran away to the desert, and requested that the Lord would take away his life. Notwithstanding his cowardice, the Lord did not forsake his servant. Angels provided him food and drink, and he went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights, until he reached Mt. Horeb. This wild and rugged portion of Arabia had once before been the training ground for one of God’s chosen servants. Ex. 3:1. And long after Elijah had finished his life work and gone home, it was for a time an asylum for the great apostle to the Gentiles. Gal. 1:17. When Elijah had finally put a journey of forty days and forty nights between himself and the scene of his recent triumphs, he reached the mount of God, and crawled into a cave and lodged there. “And, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9. It would be well if God’s children would always hear that same voice saying, “What doest thou here?” whenever unbelief has separated them from God, or the allurements of the world have enticed them into some pleasure resort or some questionable place of amusement. “And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire:11and after the fire a still small voice.” Verses 11, 12. God would teach Elijah that he would not always work through the elements, as during the years of famine, and those scenes that he had recently witnessed on Carmel’s height. Doubtless Elijah was depending too much upon the miraculous and spectacular methods to restore his people to their allegiance to God, feeling that it could be accomplished only by some unusually striking manifestation of God’s power. But these signs had failed, and he was now told that in these signs, in the highest sense, God was not—not in these, but in the still, small, gentle whisper of conscience, and solitude was the surest token that God was near him. Life is filled with sharp and varied experiences. We think of Moses on the mount with God for forty days, and then his return to the plain and the golden calf; of Christ at his baptism anointed with the Holy Ghost, his Father proclaiming from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” and then his temptation in the wilderness; of Christ on the mount of transfiguration talking with Moses and Elias, and then down in the valley to meet the demon-possessed boy; of Elijah on Mt. Carmel, carrying into effect in one day the greatest program for God of which we have any record, and then, before the excitement and inspiration of that eventful day were over, fleeing, panic-stricken, at the threat of the wicked queen. Elijah had doubtless concluded that because God was not any longer working as he did on Mt. Carmel, he was not working at all. However, that was not God’s chosen way of saving Israel. There had been a more gentle and loving ministry going on that Elijah knew nothing about. The special message to Elijah was that the wind and the earthquake and the fire might pass before him, but God was not in them. But deep down in the heart of the nation, in the caves of Carmel, unknown to him, unknown to one another, were seven thousand who had not by word or deed acknowledged the power of Baal. In them God was still present. In them was the first announcement, often repeated by later prophets, of “an Israel within Israel,” of a remnant within all the great movements for God. This remnant embraced the true hope of the future. Elijah was now instructed to anoint Hazael to be king over Syria, and Jehu to be king over Israel, and Elisha to be prophet in his stead. We do not know just what time elapsed between Elijah’s return from Arabia and his translation. Possibly it was about ten years. We catch only an occasional glimpse of him during those times. But again the old-time courage and faith had come back to him, and before his translation he was brought over the same ground, and tested again on the very same point where he had signally failed. Ahaziah, who was reigning in the place of his father Ahab, had fallen down through a lattice in his upper chamber, and was very sick. When he learned that Elijah was in the country and had prophesied that he should surely die, he sent for him, doubtless to do him harm. 2 Kings 1:2-9. There was just as much danger involved in his appearance at the court of Ahaziah, the son of Jezebel, who was still living, as there had been on a former occasion. Still Elijah went boldly down with the messenger through a crowded capital into the palace of his foes and announced to the king his doom. Verse 16. As he nears his reward, he no longer fears the wrath of man, for he is once more standing before his God, and is dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. Before our final leave-taking of this wonderful prophet, let us remember that he was a man of like passions with ourselves, and the secret of his marvelous deeds was to be found, not in any inherent qualities that he possessed, but in the fact that he was filled with the Holy Ghost. It was by his consecration and faith that he “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, . . . escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness . . . [was] made strong. Women received their dead raised to life again.” Is it too much to suppose that God will again give unto us the spirit and power of Elijah in the closing years of this generation? In fact, has God not always through all the ages shown himself strong toward those whose hearts were perfect toward him? When D. L. Moody was a young man, he read somewhere that the world had yet to see what God could do through a man who was fully surrendered to him. Mr. Moody was greatly impressed with the statement; and although he had a very humble opinion of himself, he reasoned that he was a man, and if it was not so much a question of who it was if only the surrender was complete, he was willing to pay the price if only God would use him. His choice was made, and his unsurpassed record as an evangelist and soul-winner for nearly half a century shows what one man may do in one brief life if only he is willing to surrender absolutely and unconditionally to God. While Mr. Moody was a man of rare gifts and a born leader of men, yet the secret of his power was unquestionably due to the fact that he was a man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you,” Christ said to his disciples; and their lives from that time became a never-ceasing record of mighty signs and wonders done in the power of the Spirit. Stephen, we are told, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Charles G. Finney was so filled with the power of the Spirit that as he entered a mill, the operatives fell upon their knees in tears before the mere presence of the evangelist before he had uttered a word. There is no limit to the usefulness of those who are willing to put self aside and live a life wholly consecrated to God. One has well said that “there is nothing the church of today needs so much as spiritual power, and there is nothing that we can have so easily, if only we are prepared to pay the price.” It is of no use to exclaim in despairing tones, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” He is here waiting to do as much now as for the illustrious saints of olden times. “O for that flame of living fire
Which shone so bright in saints of old;
Which bade their souls to heaven aspire,
Calm in distress, in danger bold!” “Where is that spirit, Lord, which dwelt
In Abram’s breast, and sealed him thine?
Which made Paul’s heart with sorrow melt,
And glow with energy divine?” “Is not thy grace as mighty now
As when Elijah felt its power?
When glory beamed from Moses’ brow,
Or Job endured the trying hour?” “Remember, Lord, the ancient days;
Renew thy work, thy grace restore;
And while to thee our hearts we raise,
On us thy Holy Spirit pour.”